HAMPTON TWP — One clutch drive deserves another.

At least Hampton's football team thought so in the season-opener against Knoch Friday night.

The Knights had cut Hampton's lead to 14-8 with a touchdown drive midway through the third quarter. But the Talbots' response hit the Knights like a punch in the gut.

A 15-play, 61-yard march to the end zone brought momentum back to Hampton's side and the Knights never threatened again in a 28-8 loss to the Talbots at Fridley Field.

Senior running back Vince Schmitt capped the drive with a 10-yard scoring run two plays after a personal foul penalty on Hampton took the ball from Knoch's 4 to the 25. It was the kind of mistake that got the better of the Talbots over the last two years, during which the team went 2-18.

“We made strides last year,” said Hampton coach Jacque DeMatteo, “but there was always something that kept us in a hole, a penalty or a turnover. We got out of that hole tonight.”

After Schmitt's touchdown, the Knights' offense fizzled, gaining just a combined 13 yards on its last two drives.

“We're playing a lot of young kids, a lot of sophomores,” said Knoch coach Frank Whalen. “Hampton is a very good team and this is a great learning opportunity for us.”

The Knights moved the ball in the first half — with junior running back Matt Goodlin rushing for all but six of his 108 yards in the first two quarters — but had nothing to show for it with a 14-0 deficit at halftime.

A Hampton gaffe spurred Knoch's attempt at a rally.

Hampton's first drive of the second half began deep in its own territory and the Talbots promptly snapped the ball through the end zone for a safety.

The Knights received the free kick and a 14-yard pass from Chase Mullen to Scott Fraser on third down preceded Mullen's 46-yard scamper to the end zone. Though the extra-point attempt failed, Knoch was down by just one score with just under five minutes left in the third quarter.

Mullen, who was making his first start at quarterback, completed 7-of-13 passes for 63 yards and an interception. He added 84 yards rushing on 15 carries.

“Knoch is a well-coached team and I give them credit,” said DeMatteo. “They stayed true to what they wanted to do and gave us fits for a while there with their running game.”

Said Whalen, “Our gameplan is to run the football and play stingy defense. That's the only way we're going to survive in our conference.”

Hampton's Brandon Stephany scored both of his team's touchdowns in the first half — a 23-yard pass from Max Obenrader and an 18-yard run.

Knoch opens Northwest Eight Conference play next Friday when it travels to Blackhawk.

Knoch 0 0 8 0 — 8

Hampton 7 7 0 14 — 28

First Quarter

H — Brandon Stephany 23 pass from Max Obenrader (Harper Cook kick), :55

Second Quarter

H — Stephany 18 run (Cook kick), 3:39

Third Quarter

K — Safety, ball snapped through end zone, 9:09

K — Chase Mullen 46 run (kick failed), 4:48

Fourth Quarter

H — Vince Schmitt 10 run (Cook kick), 9:35

H — Obenrader 11 run (Cook kick), 3:47

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Knoch, Matt Goodlin 15-108, Chase Mullen 15-84, Noah Cetnar 1-7; Hampton, Max Obenrader 9-62, Vince Schmitt 14-70, Brandon Stephany 1-18, Max Smith 3-5, Ian Andersson 1-9, Josh Andersson 1-10, Joe Liberto 4-14.

Passing: Knoch, Chase Mullen 7-13-63-1; Hampton, Max Obenrader 12-15-154-0, Vince Schmitt 0-1-0-0.

Receiving: Knoch, Kam Grassi 1-10, Matt Goodlin 1-3, Noah Cetnar 1-4, Jared Schrecengost 1-21, Scott Fraser 2-19, Jim Johnston 1-6; Hampton, Will Schuit 2-5, Brandon Sickles 2-14, Brandon Stephany 5-102, Vince Schmitt 1-2, Sean McLaughlin 1-9, Max Smith 1-22.